As the power play between Marvel and DC Comics’ respective cinematic universes continues to vie for your attention, another competitor is about to enter the ring. Valiant Entertainment has struck a deal with Sony Pictures to create a new cinematic universe that’s set to be based on its own series of comic book titles, starting with Bloodshot in 2017 and ending with crossover title Harbinger Wars.
John Wick creative duo David Leitch and Chad Stahelski will direct Bloodshot from a script adapted by Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2) and Eric Heisserer (2011’s The Thing). And if that wasn’t impressive enough, you can also include producers Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kick-Ass) and Neal Moritz (Fast & Furious franchise) in that veritable list of names.
Created by Kevin Van Hook, Don Perlin and Bob Layton, Bloodshot revolves around a soldier whose corpse is revived by a secret government agency and reprogrammed as a relentless killing machine. His memory is wiped and he thrives on the nanotechnology embedded within him to hunt down his intended targets and regenerate as and when required.
Should that first movie prove to be a success, Sony has a sequel eyed along with plans to adapt another Valiant Entertainment title: Harbinger. Progress on the latter title remains in early development, with Heisserer attached to write while the hunt begins for a director. Once sequels to each movie have bowed, Sony intends to wrap things up with a crossover entitled Harbinger Wars.
Based on its premise, Harbinger shares a common thread with Marvel’s X-Men, as it chronicles the story of a superpowered bunch of humans on the run from a shady philanthropist. That commonality to the mutants’ plight may be down to their shared heritage; former Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter created the comic along with David Lapham.
Looking to the future, outside of Bloodshot and Harbinger, the deal involves adaptations of two other Valiant titles. Archer & Armstrong and supernatural thriller Shadowman are also in development, but it’s not clear whether they will connect into this newly-established universe. Considering the amount of movieverses in existence, it’s highly likely that both will eventually be welcomed into the fold.